IT HASN’T been the greatest of seasons for Newport’s top sports teams but there could well be a new piece of silverware in the Rodney Parade trophy cabinet tonight.

While only a remarkable escape act saved the Exiles from relegation in the round ball game, the Dragons endured another miserable campaign on the rugby field.

However, despite missing out on a spot in the top eight of the Principality Premiership in January, Newport rugby club are still in with a shout of claiming a trophy.

Head coach Craig Warlow and his players venture to the Gnoll this evening (kick-off 7.30pm) to take on Gareth Llewellyn’s Neath, a side they have already beaten twice this season.

And the Black and Ambers will be hoping for more of the same in the tier two play-off final.

“It has been a really positive two or three weeks for the city with County doing remarkably well to come through and retain their Football League status,” said Warlow.

“Then we had the vote and Rodney Parade being secured for the next few years at least.

“And now we’ve got to this final, so it would be nice to win some silverware for the club.

“Our supporters have been great and it would be nice to cap the season off with a win.”

Warlow is eager to see Newport get their hands on a trophy for the first time since 2004, while if they were to win it would be the former fly-half’s maiden trophy as a coach.

He has made five changes to the XV that started the dramatic 22-17 semi-final victory over Llanelli last Saturday.

Matt O’Brien is unavailable so Geraint O’Driscoll switches from full-back to take the pivotal number 10 jersey, with Llywarch Ap Myrddin in at 15.

Wales Sevens star Elliot Frewen returns to the left wing, meaning Jon Morris moves to the opposite flank and Wes Cunliffe misses out.

James Little makes way for captain Adam Brown in the second row, while Rhodri Jones and Lennon Greggains get the nod at six and seven respectively.

“It was a really good finish to the game last Saturday,” added Warlow. “But we weren’t great in the first 60 minutes.

“We put ourselves in the right positions but didn’t execute properly, so it was frustrating from that point of view.

“We need to make sure this weekend that we take advantage of the chances we create because Neath will punish us if we don’t.”

Neath chief Llewellyn keeps faith with the men that started their semi-final defeat of Cross Keys.

Welsh All Blacks skipper Jordan Collier said: “The boys put in a strong performance last week against a tough Cross Keys side and we know that Newport will be just as demanding.

“They have beaten us twice this season so we want to make sure this one is ours and put down a marker for next year.”

Team manager Martyn Morris added: “We are looking for one last effort from everyone and the squad deserves some reward for the hard work put in this season.”

Aberavon host Merthyr tomorrow in the tier one play-off final (3.30pm).

Neath: E Howley; A Grabham, M Llewellyn, M Pearce, G Llewellyn; G Evans, C Morgans; B Uphill, S Crocker, G James, R Jones, J Barley, J Collier (capt), C Davies, L Ward. Reps: I Phillips, N White, R Thomas, J Griffiths, A Morris, D Guarneri, I Evans, K Corbisiero.

Newport: L Ap Myrddin; J Morris, C Smith, T Pascoe, E Frewen; G O’Driscoll, R James; N Boyce, H Palmer, G Harris, A Brown (capt), D Partridge, R Jones, L Greggains, R Tucker. Reps: M Prosser, E Whitson, T Piper, J Little, J Cullimore, O Davies, T Riley, H Simons.